A frightful second half performance from the Hatters and an horrific mistake from captain Kevin Nicholls spelled disaster for Town on Hallowe'en as they succumbed to a 2-0 home defeat against play-off hopefuls Rushden & Diamonds.

Tom Craddock endured a horrible time in front of goal in the first half, having two goals ruled out by the linesman's flag, and twice wasting glorious opportunities as manager Richard Money's Kenilworth Road reign got off to the worst possible start.

Two late goals ultimately did for the Hatters and combative defender George Pilkington had no qualms with the result.

He said: "We performed well first half and created a lot of chances.
"Second half, full credit to them, they upped the pace and we didn't match them and on the second half performance they were deserved winners.

"We didn't pass the ball second half like we did first half although they didn't create too many chances.

"It was a game of two halves today and very disappointing."

Both of Diamonds' goals came after Pilkington's centre-half partner Alan White was forced from the field with a calf injury, but he didn't feel that affected the outcome.

He said: "If you look at the goals I don't think it would have effected it a great deal. In that case it was just one of those things and the lad took the first goal well.

"It's what we failed to do in the first half, put the ball in the back of the net."

For the full story see this week'd News/Gazette.